Spring bed-bottom.



'PATEN'IED MAY 8, 1906.

0. D. BROUYETTE. SPRING BED BOTTOM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 17, 1905.

L z /izaiiis UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

CHARLES D. BROUYETTE, OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO M. A.HUNT & 00., OF CINCINNATI, OHIO, A FIRM.

SPRING BED-BOTTOM- Specification of Letters Patent.

Application filed May 17, 1905. Serial No. 260,809.

Patented May 8, 1906.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, CHARLES D. BROU- YETTE, a citizen of the UnitedStates of America, and a resident of Cincinnati, in the county ofHamilton and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and usefulImprovements in Spring Bed-Bottoms, of which the following is aspecification.

This invention relates to certain improvements in wire bedbottoms, andparticularly in that class of such devices which comprise a frame overwhich are extended intersecting wires for the support of the bedding;and the object of the invention is to provide a bedbottom of thisgeneral character wherein is provided improved and simplified means forholding such intersecting wires in relation, whereby the device isstiflened and strengthened, so that the resultant structure is renderedlighter, more durable, and less expensive. The invention consists incertain novel features of the construction, combination, and arrangementof the several parts of the improved bed-bottom whereby certainimportant advantages are attained and the device is rendered simpler,cheaper, and otherwise better adapted and more convenient for use, allas will be hereinafter fully set forth.

The novel features of the invention will be carefully defined in theclaims.

V In the accompanying drawings, which serve to illustrate myimprovements, Figure 1 is a partial plan view showing one corner portionof a bed-bottom embodying my invention, the bed-bottom being representedas of the construction wherein are provided coil-springs the end orsurface coils of which are interlocked with the intersecting wires forelastically sup orting the same. Fig. 2 is a fragmentary p an viewsomewhat similar to Fig. 1, but representing a different form ofbed-bottom, wherein the coil-springs are omitted and wherein is employeda modified arrangement of the holding means for securing theintersecting wires in relation. Fig. 3 is an enlarged fragmentarysectional view taken through the structure shown in Fig. 1 in the planeindicated by line a a in said figure and showing certain features ofconstruction to be hereinafter referred to. Fig. 4 is a sectional viewsimilar to Fig. 3, but taken in the plane indicated by line b b in Fig.2 and illustrating certain features of the modified arrangement shown insaid figure. Fig. 5 5 5 is a fragmentary plan view similar to Figs. 1and 2, but illustrating still another modified arrangement embodying myinvention.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, 1 represents a stout metal wire or rodextended along the edge of the bed-bottom in a wellknown way to form aframe, and 2 2 represent lighter wires, which are extended across theframe thus formed in one direction parallel with each other, butsuitably spaced apart, with ends connected in any desired way withopposite sides of said frame. 3 3 represent other wires, which-are alsoextended transversely across the frame at right angles to the wires 22,so as to intersect the same at certain points upon the surface of thebedbottom, said wires 3 3 being also spaced apart and being parallelwith each other and having extremities secured in any desired way toopposite sides of the frame 1. 4 4 represent coiled wire springs of theordinary hour-glass style with end coils 5 5, which are interlocked, aswill be hereinafter described, with the intersecting wires 2 and 3 insuch manner as to securely connect said coil-springs for sup- 8o portingengagement with the fabric produced from said intersecting wires andwhereon the bedding rests when the device is in use. The coil-springs 44 are arranged in (parallel rows beneath the frame 1 of the be -bottom,and the spacing of the wires 2 2 is such that one of said wires isextended centrally across the top coils of each spring 4 in a each ofthe respective rows of springs, so that the tension of the springs isexerted evenly and uniformly beneath the centrally-arranged wires 2.

There are equal numbers of the coil-springs 4 4 in the several rowstraversed by the wires 2 2, and the springs in such rows are evenly 5spaced. in the, structure, whereby it will be seen that said springs 4 4are also grouped in other rows or series extended across the bedbottomin a direction at right angles to the wires 2 2, andsaid last-named rowsor series of springs 4 4 have their end or surface coils 5 traversed bythe wires 3 3, which are extended at right angles to the wires 2 2, suchwires 3 3 being so spaced apart that two of said wires are caused toextend along each of such 10 5 last-named rows of springs, beingarranged to extend across and intersect the opposite sides of each endcoil 5 of the row traversed by them and also to intersect each of thecen trally-arranged Wires 2 2, which are arranged at right angles tosaid Wires 3 3. I

The wires 2 2 are straight and Without bends, as herein shown, and areextended above the end or surface coils 5 of the several springs 4 4,andbetween the springs each Wire 3 3 has portions 6 6, Which are extendedin the same plane as the Wires 2 2, as shown clearly in Fig. 3, saidWires 3 3 being, however, provided with downward bends 7 7 at theirpoints of intersection with the end coils 5 5 of the several springs,whereby the said wires 3 3 are caused to extend beneath such end coils,so that the intersected portions of the end coils 5 5 are securelyclamped and held between said underlying bends 7 7 of the Wires 3 3 andthe overlying intersecting parts of the centrally-arranged Wires 2 2,and midway between said downward bends 7 7 of Wires 3 the said Wires 3are provided with upwardly-extended bends or bights 8 8, Which areextended up through the end coils 5 of the springs and through which thecentrally-arranged Wires 2 are passed adjacent to their portions Whichintersect said end coils of the springs in such a Way as to furthersecurely clamp and hold the end coils in position between theintersecting Wires 2 and 3. In this way the coil-springs 4 4 of thestructure are securely held to the intersecting Wires 2 and 3, and bythe engagement of the end coils of said springs in the downward bends orbights 7 7 of the Wires 3 3 it is evident that said springs are heldagainst movement in the direction of the lengths of said Wires 3 3, sothat displacement of the springs in such direction is altogetheravoided, the engagement of the straight Wires 2 2 within the upwardbends or bights 8 8 of the wires 3 3 also serving to effectively preventdisplacement or movement of said wires 2 2 in the direction of thelengths of said wires 3 3, and in connection with the parts thusconstructed I provide means for holding the said springs and alsofor'holding the wires 3 3 against lateral movement or displacement inthe direction of the lengths of the wires 2 2. Such holding meanscomprises links 9 9, formed from Wire, Which links are extended betweenthe respective springs in the several rows traversed by the Wires 2 2and which have end portions engaged with the adjacent sides of the endcoils 5 5 of adj acent springs in such rows and also engaged with theWires 3 3 Which intersect such adjacent sides of said end coils in sucha manner as to securely brace and tie the springs 4 and wires 3 3together in the direction of the lengths of the Wires 2 2, so thatdisplacement of said parts in such direction is effectively prevented.

If desired, the links Which brace and tie together the springs and Wires3 3 traversed by each wire 2' may all be formed from a single piece orlength of wire, as clearly shown at the upper part of Fig. 1 of thedrawings; but I do not desire to be understood as limiting myself tothis arrangement, since in some cases said links 9 may be formed ofseparate short lengths of wire, with ends engaged with the end coils 5of adjacent springs 4 4 and also engaged with those wires 3 3 whichtraverse and intersect such end coils, and this arrangement 1 have alsoillustrated at the lower part of F ig. 1. If desired, both theseconstructions may be employed in the one bed-bottom.

As seen at 10 10 in Fig. 1, the links 9 9 have their end portions passedover and arranged to intersect the end coils 5 of adjacent springs 4 atpoints between the intersections of the wire 2 and of the correspondingwires 3 3 with said end coils, said portions 10 of the links beingextended inwardly within each such end coil 5, so as to extend over andintersect the corresponding wire 3 at a point between its intersectionswith said end coil and with the wire 2. Beyond the portions 10 the endportions of the links 9 are bent at acute angles to produce the portions11 11, which are inclined toward each other and which are passed beneaththe overlying wires 2 at points adjacent to the intersections of saidwires 2 with the upwardly-directed loops or bights 8 8 of the wires 3 3,said portions 11 11 beyond said wires 2 being also passed over thecorresponding wires 3 and end coils 5, so as to intersect these parts atpoints between the intersections of the opposite bights or bends 7 7 ofthe corresponding wires 3 with said end coils and the intersections ofsaid end coils with the corresponding wires 2 2. In this way it will beevident that the inclined portions 11 are extended from theirconnections with the parts 10 of the links within the end coils of thesprings beneath the wires 2 and across and over the wires 3 and endcoils 5 to the outsides of said end coils, whereby said inclined endportions 11 11 are effectively interlocked with the wires 2 3 and endcoils 5 to hold the parts in relation against movement in the directionof the lengths of wires 2. Beyond the inclined portions 11 the endportions of the links are again bent outward in opposite directions fromeach other and are passed beneath the adjacent wires 3 3, and where saidlinks are produced from short lengths of wire, as seen at the lower partof Fig. 1, the extremities of said short lengths may be bent around andinterlocked with the end coils 5 5 of the springs between which thelinks are extended, as seen at 13 on the drawings; but if these links 99 be integrally connected and produced fromlonger pieces of wire it isevident that such attachment of said longer piece of wire with the endcoils 5 need be eflected only at the opposite ends of said piece ofwire, as shown at 13 at the upper part of Fig. 1, the integralconnecting portions 14 between the inclined parts 11 11 of adjacentlinks 9 9 being extended across over the upper or outer face of each endcoil. The arrangement of theselinks 9 9 is such that the upward bends orbights 8 8 of wires 3 are interposed between the portions 10 and 12,which intersect, respectively, above and beneath said wires 3, wherebyit will be evident that movement or displacement of the links in thedirection of the lengths of'the wires 3 3 is effectively prevented, andsince said links have their end portions interlocked securely with eachtwo adjacent. springs 4 4 and wires 3 3 traversed by the respectivewires 2 it will be apparent that movement or displacement of the partsin the direction of the lengths of said wires 2 2 is altogether avoidedand increased strength and stability of the struc-' ture is attainedwithout material increase either of cost or weight.

In Figs. 2 and 4 I have shown my improvements applied for use inconnection with a bed-bottom of a well-known kind, having a frame 1 overwhich are extended intersecting wires 2 and 3, similar to the structureshown in Fig. 1 except that the coil-springs 4 4 are in this modifiedarrangement omitted as being unnecessary in bed-bottoms of lightconstruction. In this construction the arrangement of the links issubstantially the same as shown in the upper part of Fig. 1 except thatthe inclinedends of said links have engagement with the wires 2 and 3only.

In Fig. 5 I have shown still another modified arrangement, wherein thecoil-springs 4 4 are also omitted and wherein the wires 2 2 areduplicated, there being two such wires engaged with each end portion 11of each link 9.

The improved bed-bottom constructed according to my invention is of anextremely simple and inexpensive structure and is especially welladapted for use by reason of the added stiffness and strength affordedby the improved tying or bracing means, and it will also be obvious fromthe above description that the device is capable of some modificationwithout material departure from the principles and spirit of theinvention, and for this reason I do not wish to be understood aslimiting myself to the exact formation and arrangement of the severalparts herein shown and described in carrying out my in 'vention inpractice.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is

1. A spring structure of the character described comprising a series ofparallel wires having bends extended in one direction, links extendedbetween the wires of said series with end portions each of whichintersects one wire in said series at two points at opposite sides ofone of the bends'therein and other wires in series at angles to thefirstnamed series and intersecting the sameand at such intersectionsextended within the bends of the wires of the first-named series andbetween said wires and the end portions of the links at points betweenthe intersections of such end portions of the links with each wire ofthe first-named series.

2. A spring structure of the character described comprising two seriesof wires, the wires of one series intersecting those of the other seriesand having at their points of intersection therewith bends in which thewires of such other series are received and links extended at anglesbetween the .wires of one series with end portions each of which hasengagement with a wire of such series at two points at opposite sides ofthe intersection of said wire with a wire of the other series and is,adjacent to such intersection, interlocked between the wires of therespective series.

3. A spring structure of the character described comprising two seriesof wires, the wires of one series intersecting those of the other seriesand having at their points of intersection therewith bends in which thewires of such other series are received, the wires of one series beingalso provided with other bends arranged at opposite sides of theirpoints of intersection with wires of the other series and links extendedat angles between the wires wherein said last-named bends are producedwith end portions each of which has engagement with the bends of such awire at opposite sides of the intersection of such wire with a wire ofthe other series and is, between such bends and adjacent to suchintersection, interlocked between the wires of the respective series.

4. A spring structure of the character described comprising a series ofparallel wires having bends produced in them, a series of straight wiresat angles to saidfirst-named series and engaged with the bends thereof,springs in rows beneath said straight wires with end coils interlockedwith the wires of the respective series and links extended between thefirst-named series of wires and parallel with said straight wires withend portions each of which has engagement with a wire of the first-namedseries at two points at opposite sides of the bend wherein is engaged awire of the other series and has, between such points of engagement, aportion interlocked between the wires of the respective series.

5. A spring structure of the character described comprising two'seriesof wires, the wires of one series intersecting those of the other seriesand having at their points of intersection therewith bends in which thewires of such other series are received, the wires of one of the seriesbeing also provided with other bends arranged at opposite sides of theirpoints of intersection with the wires of the other series, springshaving end coils engaged with said oppositely-arranged bends withintermediate portions interlocked between the wires of the respectiveseries at points adj acent to their intersections and links extendedbetween the wires of one series and parallel with the wires of the otherseries and having end portions each of which is engaged in the bends ofa wire at opposite sides of the intersection of such wire with a wire ofthe other series and has, between such bends and adj acent to suchintersection, a portion interlocked between the wires of the respectiveseries.

6. A spring structure of the character described comprising a series ofparallel wires, links at angles to and between wires of said series withend portions each intersecting one of said Wires at two points onopposite faces of such wire, other wires in series at angles to thefirst-named wires and intersecting the same and at such intersectionspassed between the wires of the first-named series and the end portionsof said links at points between the intersections of each such endportion with a wire of the first-named series and a connection for theextremity of each such end portion to'hold said links in position.

7. A spring structure of the character described comprising a series ofparallel wires, links at angles to and between wires of said series withend portions each intersecting one of said wires at two points onopposite faces of such Wire, other wires in series at angles to thefirst-named wires and intersecting the same and at such intersectionspassed between the wires of the first-named series and the end portionsof said links at points between the intersections of each such endportion with a Wire of the first-named series and connections betweenthe extremities of the end portions of the links and extended in thedirection of the wires of the last-named serles.

8. A spring structure of the character described comprising a series ofparallel wires, links at angles to and between wires of said series withend portions each intersecting one of said wires at three points two ofwhich are on opposite faces of such wire, other wires in series atangles to the first-named series and intersecting the same and at suchintersections passed between the wires of the firstnamed series and theend portions of said links at points between the intersections of eachsuch end portion with a wire of the firstnamed series and connectionsbetween the extremities of the end portions of the links and extended inthe direction of the wires of the last-named series.

Signed at Cincinnati, of May, 1905. 7

CHARLES D. BROUYETTE.

Witnesses:

ARTHUR STEDMAN, JOHN ELIAS JONES.

Ohio, this 13th day

